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(No Model.)

J. VAN RUYMBEKE. APPARATUS FOR REGOVERING GLYGERIN FROM SPENT SOAP LYE.

No. 522,135; Patented June 26, 1894.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets Sheet 2. J. VAN RUYMBEKE. APPARATUS FOR REOOVBRINGGLYGERIN FROM SPENT SOAP LYE. No. 522,135. P-atented June .26, 17894.

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(No Model.)

3 SheetsSheet 3.

J. VAN RUYMBEKE. APPARATUS FOR REGOVBRING GLYGERIN FROM SPENT SOAP LYB.No. 522,135.

Patented June 26, 1894.

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- sectional view of the distributingpipe or ring o I ing the amount ofcondensation therein.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH VAN RUYIVIBEKE'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOWILLIAM F. JOBBINS, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING GLYCERIN FROM SPENTSOAP-LYE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 522,135, dated June'26, 1894.

Application filed March 17, 1894.

To all whom, it may concern:

ing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, whichwill enable others skilled I in the art to which it appertains to makeand 5 use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for recoveringglycerin from soap makers spent lyes, and consists in novel means forevaporating, distilling and concentrating such lyes.

evaporators. stills. all drums of the stills. vation of theconcentrators and Fig. 5, a cross of the still.

Referring to Fig. 1, l and 2 represent cylindrical evaporators made ofsheet iron; 3, 3, i 3, are vertical posts orpillars arranged in.-

pairs and of the proper height and 4, 4, are supporting braces at thetop of said pillars for supporting the evaporators l and 2. o and 6 arecircular heads or flue sheets within the evaporator 1, and 7, 7, areflues connecting said heads. 8 is a steam inlet pipe for admitting steaminto the space between the heads 5 and 6 which constitutes the steamdrum, said pipe having a valve9, and 10 is an outlet pipe for condensedsteam for said i 12 is a water gage or column on the outside of theevaporator,

space, having a valve 11.

connected with the steam drum, for measur- 13 is a man-hole or door inthe lower part of the evaporator for removing the salt or other depositstherefrom, and 14 is a similar door in the evaporator about two-thirdsof the way from the bottom thereof, to allow the interior .of theevaporator to be reached for the purpose of cleaning the same. 15, 15are drawoff pipes provided with valves 16, 16, and connected with thepipe 17. I make use of two or more of these pipes arranged one above theFig. 4 is a front ele semi No. 504,093. (No model.)

' other, in order that the liquid may be drawn off close to the upperlayer of the salt deposited therein. 18 is a gate valve at the bottom ofthe evaporator for drawing ofi. the contents thereof for any desiredpurpose. 19 is a Vacuum draw ofi pipe connected with the interior of theevaporator above the maximum limit of the deposited salt. 21 is a valvein the pipe from the evaporator which connects with said pipe 19, and 22is a valve at valve 21a portion of the liquidin the evaporator may berun out into the pipe 19, after which the valve 21 is closed and thevalve 22 is opened and the small quantity of liquid in I J the pipe 19is removed and may be tested. In

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1}v is a front elevation partly insection of the: Fig. 2 is a similar view of the c Fig. 3 is a topelevation of the catchi this Way a sufficient quantity of liquid in theevaporator may be drawn out for the purpose of testing, against thevacuum therein, and

i the bottom of such pipe. By opening the without affecting such vacuum.23 is a water gage on the side of the evaporator and connected therewithfor determining the height of the liquid therein. 24 is a steam gage onthe front or side of the evaporator, connected with the steam spacebetween heads 5 and 6, for

determining the pressure therein, and 25 is a vacuum gage for indicatingthe extent of vacuum in the evaporator. ing into the evaporator andprovided with a valve, by meansof which lye not saturated with salt maybe introduced into the evaporator for the purpose of dissolving out anysalt which may accumulate in the fines 7 and around the same, andthereby prevent incrustation thereof. Such lye should be allowed to bein contact with the pipes to be cleaned for a sufficient length of timeto dissolvethe incrusting matter. 27 is a pipe with valves, opening intothe evaporator above the steam drum therein, for introducing thematerialto be evaporated. 28 is an annular plate within the evaporatornear the top thereof, but-of less diameter than the same, strengthenedby braces 29 and having the hole or opening 32 at its central part. 30is a circular dash plate of larger diameter than the opening 32 andsupported directly beneath the same by rods 31. This latter dash plate30 serves to prevent in a great measure any of the material from beingprojected from the evaporator in case of a sudden application of vacuumor 26 is a pipe leadsteam heat. 33 is a heavy vapor pipe leading fromthe evaporator and provided with a gate valve 34 therein. 35 is a pipefrom the evaporator 2, provided with a gate valve 36 therein the latterbeing arranged above the pipe 32, so that any material from theevaporator 1 will be prevented from entering the evaporator 2. 37 is anannular dash platein the evaporator 2, and 38 is a circular dash platesecured beneath the same. These elements correspond to those in theevaporator 1. 39 is a man-hole for entering the evaporator 2. 40 is asteam drum, 41 a steam gage connected therewith, 42 a water gage orcolumn for determining the amount of condensation in the steam drum 40.43 is a vacuum gage and 44 a water gage for determining the height ofthe liquid in the evaporator. 45 is a vacuum draw off pipe on theevaporator, corresponding to the pipe 19 of the evaporator 1. 47 is adoor at the lower part of the evaporator for removing the salt and othersediment that may be deposited therein. 48, 48, are draw off pipes forremoving the contents of the evaporator close to the salt therein,connected with the pipe 49 and provided with valves 50. 51 is a draw oifpipe corresponding to the draw off pipe 18 of the evaporator 1. 53 is asteam pipe for admitting steam into the steam drum 40, and 52 is a pipefor removing the water of condensation therefrom. 54 and 55 are pipes onthe side of the evaporator for introducing the material therein. 56represents the continuation of the pipe 33 leading into the catch all57. Within this catch all 57 is a pipe 58, its upper end being open andarranged with its opening above the upper level of the pipe 56, passingdown through the bottom of the catch all 57 and connected with the drum60. 59 is a draw off pipe provided with a valve therein for removing anycondensed liquid or material entrained or mechanically carried off withthe distillate that may be deposited in catch-all 57. The catch-all 57is provided the with a removable head and with a water gage 57', fordetermining the amount of material that may be caught by and depositedwithin the same. 60 isahorizontal cylindricaldrum beneath the catch all57 and connected with the pipe 58, as before stated. This drum 60 isprovided with a water gage 61 for indicating the amount of condensedwater therein. 62 is a pipe extending up from the top of the drum 60 andconnected with any desired form of vacuum pump. 63 is a draw off pipefor removing the contents of the drum 60, either into a tank placedbeneath said drum or to any desired receptacle. The drum 60, on whichrests the catch all 57 is supported on the standard 64 by means of lugsor brackets 65 bolted to the tops of said standards and to the drum.

Referring to Fig. 2, 66 is a reheater made preferably cylindrical inshape, of iron or of steel, and 67 is a still. The heater 66 and still67 are vertically arranged side by side,

as shown. 68, 68, 68, are pillars or posts having the braces or I-beams71 at the top thereof. The heater 66 and still 67 are sup ported bythese braces by means of logs or brackets 97 bolted to the same. 72 is asteam pipe from a boiler or any suitable source of steam supply. Thispipe 72 connects with the steam pipe 73 running parallel midway betweenthe heater and the still and provided at its lower end with the enlargedcylindri' cal chamber 74, for receiving the water of condensation fromsaid pipe. Beneath this chamber 74is avalve 75, for removing the waterof condensation. 76 is a small steam pipe connected with the pipe 73above the chamber 74 and provided with a valve 77 therein. The steampipe 76 enters the heater 66 near the lower part thereof and connectswith the steam coil 78 in said heater. This steam coil 78 is preferablymade of considerably larger diameter than the steam pipe 76, so that thesteam from the pipe 76, on entering the coil 78, will rapidly expandtherein, its temperaturebeingcorrespondinglyreduced. Instead of thisarrangement it is obvious that the steam pipe 76 may be of the samediameter as the steam coil 78, or even larger, and that the valve 77 maybe so adjusted as to allow the steam to expand into the steam coil 78 inthe same way. The steam coil 78 is supported within the heater 66 bymeans of braces 78' arranged vertically in the heater. The upper end ofthe coil 78, which I shall hereinafter refer to as the expansion coil,connects with the pipe 80, which passes out through the side of theheater and enters the still 67, being provided at its lower end with adistributing ring or pipe 81, (see Fig. 5) having perforations thereihpreferably extending downward for injecting steam into the couthe pipe72 and provided with a valve 83 therein, said pipe 82 entering the topof the heater 66. 84 is a pipe at the bottom of the heater 66, providedwith a valve 85 therein, for removing water of condensation from theheater. 86 is an asbestus or other insulated covering around the heater66, in order that the heat of the same may be retained without loss byradiation. 87 is a draw off pipe provided with a valve for removing thecontents of the still when desired. 89 is a door in the lower part ofthe still, provided with a valved pipe 90 for removing the sediment andresidue from the still. 91 is a water gage or column on the still 67 fordetermining the amount of material therein. 92 is a pipe branching outfromv the steam pipe 72 and having a valve 93 therein. This pipe 92connects with a steam coil 94 within the still for heating the contentsthereof. 88 is a valved steam pipe connected with the lower end of thecoil 94 for carrying off the steam or condensed water therefrom. 95 is apipe having valves 96, for introducing the material into the still 67.The still may be provided with a dash plate if desired, arranged in anysuitable way. )8

tentsofthe still. 82isapipeextendingoutfrom IIO is a pipe for carryingoff the distillate or vapor from the still 67, which pipe connects withv the upper end of the drum 69. is a pipe connecting the upperend of thedrum 69 with the upper end of a similar drum 70 arranged at the side ofthe drum 69, both of these drums being supported on the braces 71 bymeans of the saddles or brackets 99. 101 are pipes leading out from thebottom of the catch-all drums 69 and 70 and provided with valves 102therein. The pipes 101 connect at their lower ends with the pipe 103which enters the side of the still and which is provided with a valve104. 105 is a pipe connected with the pipe 103, which enters the side ofthe still and which is provided with a valve 106 therein. 107 is a tankbeneath the pipe 105. Instead of making use of two drums, as described,it is obvious that only one drum, or three or more drums, may beemployed. Extending up from the top of the drum 70 is a vertical pipe108, provided with a horizontal branch pipe 109 at its upper end. Thispipe 109 connects with the upper end of the upright cylindricalcondenser 114. Within this condenser are the heads or drums 110 and 112connected together by tubular flues 111. 113 are pipes leading into thetop and out of the bottom of the space formed between the heads 110 and112, for maintaining the circulation of water or other cooling agenttherein. 115 is a pipe leading out of the lower end of the condenser 114and connected with the receiving drum-116. This receiving drum 116 isprovided with a water gage 117 thereon, for determining the amount ofcondensed distillate therein. The said drum is also provided with a drawoif pipe 118, having a valve 119 for drawing off the condenseddistillate. A tank 120 placed beneath the receiving drum 116 may be usedfor receiving this distillate. The receiving drum 116, and also thecondenser 114 are supported on pillars or posts 121 by means of lugs orbrackets 122, bolted to the tops of said pillars and to the side of saiddrums.

Referring to Fig. 4, 123 represents a concentrator made preferablyeither of iron'or steel. This concentrator 123 is supported on pillarsor posts 124 by means of brackets or lugs 125 bolted to saidconcentrator, and to braces 126 connecting the tops of the posts. 127 isa steam pipe provided with a valve 128, having a steam gage thereon forregistering the amount of pressure in the pipe. This pipe connects witha steam coil 129 within the still for heating the contents thereof. 130is a steam pipe having a valve therein for carrying off the condensedsteam from the coil 129'. 131 is a water gage or column on the side orfront of the concentrator 123, for indicating the height of the materialtherein. 132 is a vacuum draw off pipe, connected with the concentrator123 at one or more levels, and provided with valves 133, 134 for drawingmaterial into said pipe 132 from any de= sired portion of the liquid inthe concentrator. 135 isa valve beneath .the pipe 132 pipe at the lowerend of the concentrator for removing the concentrated materialtherefrom. 137 is an annular dash plate within the concentrator near thetop of the same, and provided with a circular dash plate 138,

supported beneath the plate 137 by means of rods 139. 140 is the openingin the annular plate 137 above the circular dash plate 138, but ofsmaller diameter than the same. 141

is a pipe from the concentrator 123 for carry ing off the aqueous vaporsand other volatile matters therefrom, and provided with a valve 142.This pipe 141 is connected with a catchall 143 provided with a pipe 144therein, having its open upper end arranged above the opening of'thepipe 141. 145 is a water gage for indicating the amount of liquid thatmay be caught by and retained in the catch all 143. 146 represents thecontinuation of the pipe 144 and which connects with the top of the drum147, provided at one of its ends with a water gage 148. 149 is a drawoff pipe for removingthe contents of the drum 147, provided with a valve150. 151, 151, are pillars or posts on which the drum 147 is supportedby means of brackets 152 bolted to the top of said pillars or posts, andto said drum. 153 is a pipe which leads out from the bottom'of thecatch-all 143 at one side of the pipe 144, and is connected with ahorizontal pipe 154 by means of a four way casting, as shown, to

pipe 154 between theconcentrator and the I valve 154' in said pipe, forintroducing the material into the concentrator. 156 isa secondconcentrator provided with asteam pipe 157 having a valve 158 therein,and a steam gage 159 thereon. This steam pipe 157 connects with 'a coil160 on the inside of the concentrator 156. 161 is a water gage on theconcentrator, and 162 is a vacuumdraw off pipe connected therewith andhaving valves 163, 163.

trator and having. the valve 165; and 166 is a steam pipe connected withthe end of the coil 160 for carrying off the steam therefrom, or forremoving the water of condensation therein. 167is a pipehaving valves168 forintroducing material into the concentrator 156. 169 is an annulardash plate near the top of the concentrator 156, provided with acircular dash plate 170, supported by rods 171, asbefore' explained. 172are pillars or posts for supporting the concentrator 156 by means oflugs or brackets 174 bolted to the braces 173, and to the concentrator.175 is a pipe for carrying off the aqueous vapors from the con- 164 is adraw off pipe for the concencentrator 156, and provided with a valve176, which pipe 175 connects with the catch-all 143. In practice it isdesirable that the concentrator 156 which concentrates the glycerinafter the second distillation should be made of copper, preferablytinned on its interior, in order that there may be no danger ofcontaminating or discoloring the glycerin.

In making use of the apparatus shown, I take waste soap lye, which hasbeen first limed if necessary, and treated with ferric sulfate, or anyother suitable metallic salt in the usual way, and introduce it into theevaporator 1, through the pipe 27. I then close the valve 36 so as tomaintain a fairly high vacuum, preferably say about twenty-six inches,within the drum 60, catch all 57 and evaporator 1. Steam is nowintroduced through the pipe 8 into the steam drum of the evaporator andheats the fines 7 and the heads therein, to the proper temperature. Thisheat should be sufficient to concentrate the lye until it has beenconcentrated to the proper degree, preferably to about 28 Baum whendrawn from the evaporator, or 30 Baum at 15 centigrade. This heating maybe conveniently accomplished by means of exhaust steam. This evaporationof the lye causes the salt therein to separate after the salting pointhas been reached, which salt accumulates at the bottom of the evaporatorand maybe removed therefrom through the door 13 and dried and treated orpurified in any suitable way. By

means of the pipe 19 the specific gravity of the lye maybe tested andwhen it has reached the desired strength, preferably that indicated,thelyeis drawn off as closely to the salt as possible through one of thedraw ofi. pipes 15 By making use of the annular and circular dash plates28 and 30,Ipreventtheliquidfrom being projected into the pipe 33 by anysudden increase of the vacuum or steam heat. At the above describeddensity (30Baum at 15 centigrade) the lye contains about 50 per cent. ofglycerin and most of the salt contained therein has been deposited.After the lye has been evaporated to the proper specific gravity, it isremoved through one of the draw olf pipes 15 into the evaporator 2, thisremoval being generally accomplished by the suction of the high vacuumtherein. The concentrated lye having a density of 30 Baum at 15centigrade, as before stated, is now subjected to a second concentrationin the evaporator 2 by means of steam introduced into the steam drum 40until the lye has attained a specific gravity of 34 Banm at 15centigrade. An additional quantity of salt separates during thisoperation, which salt may be removed and dried in any suitable way. Thereason for carrying on the evaporation process in two steps as abovedescribed, is that when the salt is impregnated with concentrated crudeglycerin it is difficult to dry and to free from its adherent motherliquor but by evaporating it in the first evaporator until it reaches aspecific gravity of not more than 30 Baum at 15 centigrade I am enabled,as before explained,

to free it of most of the salt originally contained therein. By carryingon the evaporation in a vacuum of about twenty-six inches and with steamat a low pressure, the loss of glycerin by evaporation is red need to aminimum and in fact there is practically no loss of glycerin from thissource when the process is properly carried out. A sufficient quantityof the concentrated lye is now introduced into the still 67 throughtheipipe 95 preferably by reason of the vacuum therein. I now close thevalve 96 and maintain the vacuum in the still, and steam is introducedthrough the pipe 72, and passing through the pipe 92, into the steamcoil 94, heats the contents of the still up to a temperatureapproximating "the boiling point thereof at the vacuum used. Steam fromthe pipe 72 also passes through the pipe 82 into the heater 66, andheats the expansion coil 78 therein to the proper temperature. Steamfrom the pipe 7 2 also passes through the pipe 82, into the heater 66and heats the expansion coil 78 therein to the proper tempera ture.Steam from the pipe 72 also passes through the pipe 73 into the smallerpipe 76, and thence into the large expansion coil 78 where it rapidlyexpands, its temperature being thereby reduced corresponding to theextent of expansion. By heating the expansion coil 78 by means of freesteam in the heater 66, the expanded steam in such expansion coil willbe reheated approximately to its original temperature, and in itsexpanded and reheated form will pass through the pipe 80 and be injectedinto the material through the perforated pipe or ring 81. By firstallowing this steam to expand and by then reheating it before injectingit into the liquid, I find that expansion in the still in the presenceof the vacuum used is reduced to a minimum. This injected steam,atatemperature of about 300 Fahrenheit at a vacuum of twenty-eightinches or more, in passing through the liquid will rapidly distill thesame, and the distillate passes out through the pipe 98 into the drum69. The less volatile distillate, comprising glycerin, generally of anexcellent quality, will be deposited in the drum 69. From the drum 69,the distillate passes by means of the pipe 100 into the drum 7 O, andmore glycerin will be condensed and retained therein. The more volatiledistillate, consisting of glycerin with a large percentage of wateryvapor, passes up from the drum 70 by means of the pipe 108 and entersthe condenser 114 where it is condensed by passing through the coolingpipes 111. The condensed distillate will now be deposited in thereceiving drum 116. The sweet water thus collected in the drum 116 maybe removed therefrom into the tank 120 after the distillation hasceased, or by stopping the vacuum pump. The less volatile distillatecollected in the drums 69 and 70, which as before mentioned, isconcentratedglycerin, generally of a bright color and of an excellentquality, may be drawn out of said tanks into the tank 107 through thepipes 101, 103 and 105, but if upon test it is found that this glycerinis not of sufficient purity, it may be returned through the pipe 103into the still by opening the valve 104. The distillate in the tank 120is now ready for the first concentration in the concentrator 123, whichmay be an iron concentrator. The valve 176 is closed so as to cut offthe concentrator 156 and a vacuum is maintained in the concentrator 123by means of a vacuum pump connected with the receiving drum 147. By thusmaintaining a vacuum in the concentrator, the glycerin from thereceiving tank 120 may be drawn through the pipe 155 by suction, or byany other suitably located pipe. Steam is now admitted into the coil 129through the pipe 127 and the glycerin is maintained at a temperatureabove the boiling point of water at the vacuum used. The watery vaporthus driven off passes through the pipe 141 and enters the catch alldrum 143. This watery vapor generally carries with it small and varyingquantities of glycerin. The watery vapor and glycerin passing into thecatch all drum will impinge against the pipe 144 and the glycerincontained in the vapor will condense and deposit in the drum 143. Thewatery vapor thus driven off passes into the pipe 144 and accumulates inthe receiving drum 147, from which it may be removed as desired.

The glycerin which is condensed in and collected by the catch all drum143, by reason of the fact that it is of aless volatile nature than thewatery vapor passing through the same, may be returned to theconcentrator 143 by the pipe 154 by opening the valve 154 therein. Whenthe glycerin has been sufficiently concentrated, which can be determinedby means of the pipe 132, it is passed through another distillingapparatus, preferably like that illustrated in Fig. 2, except that it isadvisable that thecatch all drums 69 and 70, condenser 114, andreceiving tank 116 of the second still should be made of copperlinedwith tin, so as not to contaminate the glycerin of the seconddistillation. After this second distillation, the glycerin is introducedinto the concentrator 156through the pipe 167 and is heated so as todrive off the water thereinby steam in the steam coil 160. The wateryvapor passing out of the still 156 enters the catch all 143 by means ofthe pipe 175, and is condensed and collected in the receiving drum 147.This concentration is carried on until the distillate has reached aspecific gravity of 1.262 for dynamite purposes, or even higher ifnecessary.

It is obvious that by making use of a'catch all 143 and in providingmeansfor returning the glycerin caught therein back to theconcentrators; the loss of glycerin during the operation ofconcentration isreduced to a minimum. It is also obvious that theapparatus above described may be used for the evaporation, distillationand concentration of other materials besides glycerin and that theevaporators, stills and concentrators descr bed maybe used separately inthe treatment of liquids and fusible materials. .Instead of making useof a dash plate consisting of an annular plate with a circular platesupported therefrom beneath the opening therein, 1t 1s obvious that suchcircular plate may be arranged above the annular plate; and also thatthe annular plate may be provided with a square .or polygonal or othershaped opening, and that the plate supported above or below such openingmay be of any configuration desired.

I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is asfollows;

1. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, an eduction pipe therefrom connected with a ,chamber, aperpendicular pipe in said chamber, communicating by means of its upperopen end located in the upper part of said chamber with a receivingtank, and a pipe from said tank adapted to be connected with a vacuumpump, substantially as described.

tors, the combination of an evaporator body,

chamber, a perpendicular pipe in said chamber communicating by means ofits upper open end located in the upper part of said chamber with asecond chamber, and a pipe leading from the upper part of said secondchamber adapted to connect with a vacuum pump, substantially asdescribed.

,3. As an improvement in vacuum-evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, a tubular steam heating drum in the lower nected with achamber, a perpendicular pipe in said chamber communicating by means ofits upper open end located in'the upper part of said chamber with areceiving tank, and a pipe from said tank adapted to be connected with avacuum pump, substantially as described.

4. As an improvement in vacuum evapora tors, the combination of anevaporator body, a tubular steam heating drum in the lower above theother below said drum and located at a distance from the bottom of theevaporator, an eduction pipe from said evaporator lar pipe in saidchamber adapted to communicate by means of its upper open end located inthe upper part of said chamber, with a vacuum pump, substantially asdescribed.

5. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of theevaporator body, an annular dash plate in the upper part of theevaporator, a circular dash plate located beneath the annular dash.plate, a tubular steam heating drum in thelower part of the evaporator,and draw-off pipes arranged one Having now described my inventiomwhat 2."As an improvement in vacuum evapora part thereof, draw off pipesarranged one an eduction pipe therefrom connected witha part thereof,an-eduction pipe therefrom, conconnected with a chamber and aperpendicuabove the other below said drum and located at a distance fromthe bottom of the evaporator, substantially as described.

6. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of theevaporator body, an annular dash plate in the upper part of theevaporator, a circular dash plate located beneath the annular dashplate; atubular steam heating drum in the lower part of the evaporator,an eduction pipe therefrom connected with a chamber, a perpendicularpipe in said chamber communicating by means of its upper open endlocated in the upper part of said chamber, with a receiving tank and apipe from said tank adapted to be connected with a vacuum pump,substantially as described.

7. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, an annular dash plate in the upper part thereof,acircular dash plate located beneath the annular dash plate, a tubularsteam heating drum in the lower part of the evaporator, draw olt pipesin the lower part of the drum arranged one above the other and locatedat a distance from the lower part of the evaporator, an eduction pipe insaid evaporator connected with achamber, and a perpendicula r pipe insaid chamber adapted to communicate by means of its upper open endlocated in the upper part of said chamber, with a vacuum pump,substantially as described.

8. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the evaporators 1 and2, a catch-all 57 common to both evaporators, and a receiving tank 60,beneath said catch-all and. connected with the same, substantially asdescribed.

0. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the evaporators 1 and2, a catch all 57 common to both evaporators,tank connected with saidcatch all and pipe from said tank 60 adapted to be connected with avacuum pump, substantially as described.

10. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the evaporators 1and 2, a catch all common to both evaporators, a receiving vessel 60connected with said catch all, and a pipe leading from the upper part ofsaid receiving vessel adapted to be connected with a vacuum pump,substantially as described.

11. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the evaporators 1and 2, a catch all 57 common to both evaporators, a perpendicular pipe58 in said catch-all, communicating by means of its upper open endlocated in the upper part of said catch-all with a receiving tank 60,and a pipe from said tank adapted to be connected with a vacuum pump,substantially as described.

12. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, a tubular steam heating drum in the lower part thereof,and two or more draw oif pipes 15, arranged vertically one above theother for the purpose mentioned, substantially as described.

13. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, a tubular steam heating drum in the lower part thereof,a door in the evaporator beneath said steam heating drum, and one ormore draw off pipes beneath said steam heating drum arranged verticallyone above the other for the purpose mentioned,substantially asdescribed.

14;. As an improvement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, a tubular steam heating drum inthe lower part thereof,one or more draw-off pipes beneath said steam heating drum; a vacuumdraw'off pipe 19 beneath said steam heating drum; a valve 22, at thelower end of said vacuum draw-off pipe 19, a pet cock at the upper endof said vacuum draw-oil pipe, and a valved pipe connecting said vacuumdraw-oil": pipe with the evaporator, said valved pipe entering saidvacuum draw-off pipe near the upper part of the latter, substantially asdescribed.

15. As an improvementin vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, a tubular steam heating drum in the lower part thereof,a door in the lower part of said evaporator beneath said steam heatingdrum for the purpose mentioned, one or more draw off pipes 15, beneathsaid steam heating drum; a vacuum draw off pipe 19 beneath said steamheating drum, and a door 14: above said steam heating drum,substantially as described.

16. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the evaporators 1and 2, the pipe 33 from the evaporator 1, and the pipei35 from theevaporator 2, connected with the pipe 33 at the top of the same for thepurpose mentioned, substantially as described.

17. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the still, theheater and expansion coil in the heater, a coil in the still and a steampipe connected with the coil in the still, the expansion coil of theheater and the space in the heater surrounding the expansion coil,substantially as described.

18. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the still, a heaterand expansion coil in the heater, a coil in the still, a steam pipeconnected with the coil of the still, the expansion coil in the heater,and the space in the heater surrounding the expansion coil, and aperforated delivery pipe in the still connected with the expansion coil,substantially as described.

19. The combination of a still, a perforated steam delivery pipe in thestill, means, substantially as described, for expanding and reheatingsteam previous to its introduction into the still, an eduction pipe fromthe still connected with the first of a series of communicating drums,and a perpendicular pipe connected with the last of said drums and witha condenser, as and for the purpose set forth.

20. The combination of a still, a perforated steam delivery pipe in thestill; means, sub stantially as described, for expanding and reheatingsteam previous to its introduction IEO with the last of such drums andwith a condenser, as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of' a still, a catchall drum or drums connected therewith, a condenser 114 connected withsaid catch all drum or drums, a receiving tank 116 connected with saidcondenser and a pipe extending from the upper part of said tank adaptedto be connected with a vacuum pump, substantially as described.

22. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a still, a heaterand expansion coil in the heater, a coil in the still, a steam pipeconnected with the coil of the still, the expansion coil of the heaterand the space in the heater surrounding the expansion coil, aperforatedpipe in the still connected with the expansion coil, an eduction pipeconnected with the first of a series of communicating drums, and aperpendicular pipe connected with the last of said drums and with ac011- denser, said condenser being adapted to be connected with avacuumpump, substantially as described.

23. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a still, catch alldrums 69 and 70 connected together and with said still; a pipe 101 fromeach of said catch all drums; a pipe 103 connecting said pipes 101 andcommunicating with the still; a pipe 105 connected with the pipe 103; acondenser 114 connected with the catch all drum 7 O; a receiving tank116 connected with the condenser 114, and a pipe from said tank adaptedto be connected with a vacuum pump, substantially as described.

24. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of the standards 68,the braces 71 at the tops of said standards, the heater 66,still 67 andcatch-all drums 69 and 70 supported by said braces, the condenser 114connected with the catch all drum 70, the receiving tank 116 connectedwith the condenser 114 and a pipe from said tank adapted to be connectedwith a vacuum pump, substantially as described.

25. As an improvementin vacuumconcentrating apparatus, the combinationof a concentrator, an eduction pipe from said concentrator leading intoa chamber, a perpendicular pipe in said chamber open at its upper endand communicating with a receiving tank, a pipe from said tank adaptedto be connected with a vacuum pump and a pipe connecting said chamberwith the concentrator, substantially as described.

26. As an improvement in vacuum concentrating apparatus, the combinationof two concentrators communicating with a common catch all, a receivingtank connected with said catch-all and adapted to connect with a vacuumpumpaud a pipe establishing a communication between said catch all andone of said concentrators, substantially as dee scribed.

27. As an improvement in vacuum concentrating apparatus, the combinationof a dash plate in the upper part of a still, and having an opening inits center, of an imperforate dash plate located adjacent to andopposite said opening and supported by said perforated dash plate,substantially as described.

28. -As animprovement in vacuum evaporators, the combination of anevaporator body, an annular dash plate in the upper part thereof, acircular dash plate located adjacent to the annular dash plate, andsupported therefrom, an eduction pipe from said evaporator bodyconnected with a chamber, and a perpendicular pipe in said chamber withits upper open end located above the level of the eduction pipe, andadaptedto communicate with a vacuum pump, substantially as described.

29. An improved dash plate for use in vac.- uum evaporators or similarchambers in which liquids or fusible solids are heated, comprising aperforated dash plate within the chamber with a clear passage betweensaid dash plate and the interior of said chamber, and an imperforatedash plate adjacent to the perforated dash plate and in line with andlarger than the opening therein, substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed the 9th day of March, 1894:.

JOSEPH VAN RU YMBEKE.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM F. J OBBINS, CHARLES L. BURGOYNE.

IOO

